Admire Rakti autopsy results could still be weeks away

Patrick Bartley

Findings on the death of Admire Rakti in this year's $6.2 million Melbourne Cup could be still three weeks away.

Admire Rakti collapsed and died in a hosing bay at Flemington from what is believed to be a heart attack 10 minutes after the running of the Cup.

Senior Racing Victoria steward Terry Bailey said that there was a long list of boxes to be ticked before an official release on the cause of death. He stressed that there was nothing unusual in the length of time taken for the autopsy to be completed.

"I don't think many understand how far and wide sometimes the blood and other samples have to be sent to be analysed. Some go to the Hong Kong Jockey Club laboratories, some to Melbourne University, and we've even sent samples to the laboratories in Sydney to check for any trace of heavy metals in his system. But these are just the normal avenues we pursue when establishing an autopsy."

In a statement released by Racing Victoria, Bailey said an interim report had been received and a full report would be released once all testing had been completed.

Advertisement

"We have received an interim autopsy report and the analytical testing of samples taken from Admire Rakti is still being conducted to rule out anything but natural causes," he said.

Bailey confirmed stewards had interviewed Admire Rakti's jockey, Zac Purton, and that they were "satisfied" with his riding tactics.

You will now receive updates fromSport Newsletter

Sport Newsletter

"Mr Purton explained that the horse got much further back than connections had hoped in the Caulfield Cup after being beaten out of the gates and then shuffled back by other runners in the rush to the first corner," Bailey said.

"In the Melbourne Cup the horse jumped on better terms and was able to take up a desired position in the leading division with the longer run to the first turn. His pre-race instructions to be running in the first six were consistent with the horse's overall racing pattern in Japan. In all circumstances we are satisfied with the riding tactics of Mr Purton in the Melbourne Cup."

The Japanese owners of Admire Rakti were jubilant at his winning the Caulfield Cup but were shattered weeks later when the stayer collapsed and died minutes after the Melbourne Cup.

A function organised by some of Australia's most important racing administrators that was to be held the day after the Japan Cup was abandoned out of respect for the death of Admire Rakti in Australia's most celebrated horse race.

RVL officials will privately meet the owner, Riichi Kondo, and his family in Japan in 10 days' time after it was deemed inappropriate to stage the function, which was to be held in the Japanese embassy.